Apple working to help develop carbon-free aluminum smelting method

Apple is working with aluminum giants Alcoa and Rio Tinto Aluminum on a technology that the company says eliminates direct greenhouse gas emissions from the traditional smelting process.

In a statement, Apple said the company has partnered with both aluminum companies, and the Governments of Canada and Quebec, to collectively invest a combined $144 million to future research and development.

Alcoa and Rio Tinto Aluminum have inked a joint venture called Elysis, which will work to develop this technology further for larger scale production and commercialization, with a package planned for sale beginning in 2024. Apple says it will continue to provide technical support as well.

The technology is already in use at the Alcoa Technical Center, outside Pittsburgh, and this project will invest more than $30 million in the United States.